The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-12-01
THE FISHERIES COMMISSION
The Speedy Conclusion Of Their
Deliberations Predicted.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30.-The Fishery
Commission expects to complete its work
this week or next There is an impression
that the commissioners are likely to discover
without much further consultation that
there can be no common basis of arrange
unless it be one as to how the treaty of 1918
shall be interpreted.
Fishermen at the Capital.
Washington is likely to have good many
fish to fry the coming winter, if all signs do
not fail. With the international commission
sitting in solem stateliness at the upper end
of the avenue and the American Fishery As
sociation opening winter headquarters un-
der the shadow of the big cast-iron dome, it
looks as if there might be several fish stories
told between now and the Fourth Of July.
Luther Maddocks, the secretary of the as
soclatioD has squared himself for the fight at
the st. James Hotel, and was busy all day
mailing circulars to the 500 members of his
organization throughout the country. The
circular says:
In accordance with vote of your directors, at
meeting held in New York city on the 18th INST,
take pleasure in this way of informing you that
our association has opened headquarters at the
pose OF gaining Information relating TO fishery
questions before Congress and Legislatures. ana
the country We earnestly invite correspondence
ON this important question from all interested In
the commercial fisheries, assuring you that prompt
and careful attention will be given to all cores
pondence addressed to the Undersigned
Secretary Maddocks said tonight that his
organization voices the sentiments OF 140,
600 commercial fishermen who are engaged
in an industry involving capital OF $50, ,000,-
eco. Mr.. Maddocks is a citizen of Boothbay,
and he says that he believes ii to be the feel
ing of the American fishermen that Canada
has no fisheries that our people need, and all
the Yankees want is equal commercial rela-
tions or else no relations with Canada at
all;
1--WE can get along without Canada" says
Mr.. Madd0cks He announces that II Will
be the object of the association. in maintain
ing headquarters at the capital. to seel that
misinf0rmation and misrepresentation do
Lot prevail against the interests of our fish
ermen in the action of Congress. Further
than that his association believes that du-
ty should be laid on the Canadian fresh fish,
with the aid of Dominion bounty and subsi-
dy. The fish, when intended for immediate
consumption, now comes in free.
The association will also seek to get an in
q be oe datv lit
tie if any practical protection ito American
competitors.
The Other Side.
1t is understood that in reply to the brief
presented by the American fishery 'negotia-
tors" at the first meeting last week, the En-
glish commissioners have presented state
ment fully setting. forth their side of the
case. 1t was accompanied with the cores
pondence which has taken place between the
Canadian government and the British for
eign Office since the difficulties over the fish,
cries arose, and which, to some extent, was
unknown to the American "negotlators.
The Commissioners Dinner.
The dinner given by Messrs. Putnam and
Angel, the American negotiaters to the
British Commissioners at the Arlington He-
tel Tuesday evening was the most expen-
sive as to floral decorations ever given there,
the table being adorned sole with orchids
and ferns.
AS special compliment to Mr.. Joseph
Chamberlain, who is believed to have the
finest collection Of orchids in England. Mr..
Putnam desired to give him an ''orchid din
ner" and it was done. The florists employed
to furnish the flowers and plants say they
had to telegraph to one hundred different
places, east, north and west, to secure
enough orchids for this dinner.
portion of the Marine band played
musical selections, Those present were:
Joseph Chamberlain, Sir Charles Tupper,Sir
Lionel Sackville West, j. S. ID. Thompson,
Minister of Justice of Canada; Secretary
Bayard Judge Cooley,o of the Interstate Com
merce Commission; Chief Justice Waite and
Justices Miller, Field and Gray, Of the Su-
preme Court; Senators Allison, Hale, Pal
mer and Butler Rear Admiral Rodgers, Com
modore Harmony, Judge Bancroft Davis and
Sigourney Butler, Second Controller OF the
Treasury.